Display store front



c. B. REYMERs 2,165,727

DISPLAY S TORE FRONT July 11, 1939.

Filed June l0, 193B 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .null

WF1 L@ ZZ7 INVENT R.

ATTORNEY.

C. B. REYMERS DISPLAY STORE FRONT July 11, 1939.

2 SheetS-Shet 2 filed June l0, 1938 ce? k X N1 36 y 57 L 57| um ,l

Patented July 11,' 1939 UNITED ,STATES PATENT oFl-lcs DISPLAY `s'roar: FaoN'r Charles B. Reymers, Jackson Heights, N. Y. Application June 1o, 193s, serial No. 212,896

This invention relates toA movable advertising devices of the generaltype used in store windows.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved device whereby a complete store front display can be automatically changed to suit, as for example, at definitely recurring intervals oi' time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described whereby rotatable display elements are`y conveniently accessible from the rear of the display front, for the artistic arrangement of articles to be displayed.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the nature set forth having improved means to rotate display elements operated in unison for a desired complete display for the entire store window, with the display elements being differently individually operable for convenient access to the window glass for cleaning the same and arranging auxiliary displays, and for other purposes.

Another object of the invention is to furnish a device of the class alluded to wherein different color or illuminating effects are obtained in an improved manner to enhance the display effect.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the type mentioned having relatively few and simple parts, and which is inexpensive to manufacture and set up, and which is compact, durable, reliable and efilcient in use.

yOther objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists in the novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claim, and illustrated in the annexed drawings, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation showing a device embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view thereof taken on the horizontal broken line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the drive and frame structure.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken generally on the vertical line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a one way rotating clutch.y

Fig. 6 is a view in elevation in section.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of an intermittent drive mechanism.

thereof with parts Fig. 8 is a view of the units so arranged as to provide an aisle between two of the units.

The advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined in one and the 5 exempliiication of the invention.

Generally described, the invention provides an advertising means such as an intermittently changing device which is distinctive from `prior advertising devices in that it affords a changeable complete front. In other words, when my display means is at rest, the store window appears entirely conventional, so as to meet the requirements of the most fastidious window display men. Nevertheless, my window display changes intermittently, whereby a much greater range and variety of merchandise can be displayed than was heretofore possible. It is another feature of the invention that a completely different background or color may form a part of each display. It is another feature of the invention that since only one display is exhibited at one time, the others being temporarily completely excluded from view, a greater variety of contrasting effects is possible as between the different displays, and the attention of the observer is wholly concentrated upon one display at a time, so that the advertising scheme or ensemble becomes effective in the highest degree.

Referring in detail to the drawings, I0 denotes a device, such as a store front display, embodying the invention. The same may include any enclosure II, which may form a part ofv a buildn ing, and which may be of generally rectangular shape. Thus said enclosure may comprise side walls I2, a front wall I3 having a window I4, a sill I5 at the base of the'window, and a ceiling. I6 for the enclosure. It is thus seen that the window is approximately coextensive in size with the enclosure. At the rear of the latter, the same Ilnay have a wall I1 and slidable closure panels Mounted within the enclosure I I is a display means I 9 which is substantially coextensive in size with the window and extends from one side Wall to the other and from the sill I5 substantially to the ceiling I6. This display means I9 may include a plurality of elementsl 20 having vertical walls 2i equally angularly spaced from each other. Interconnecting said walls 2I are the top and bottom walls 22, while between the -latter are vertically spaced horizontal shelves 23 mounted on the walls 2| detachably or otherwise. It is thus seen that when the elements 2li are at rest they provide a substantially continuous display wall opposite to the window I4, said wall having reentrant spaces for the individual elements 2l, and the shelves being horizontally alined to form a neat conventional appearing display which can be used for a great variety and quantity of merchandise. For example, some articles of display are indicated at 24, and other articles 25 may be positioned on the sill I5 to form a' supplemental stationary display.

Accordingly, upon rotating the elements 25 to different display positions, successive different disfor.the different display positions thereof.

plays are provided. 'Ihe effect thereof may be enhanced by painting the different faces of the walls 2I and their corresponding shelving in diderent colors. In harmony with the latter, various color illuminating-eiects may be provided, one set of lamps 2l for one display front, a second set of lamps 21 for a different display front, and a third set of lamps 2l for the third display front. These lamps may be mounted in a reentrant space at the ceiling I5, and may be automatically operated upon rotation of the elements 2li.

Any suitable frame means may be used to mount the display elements 20, for example, a pair of standards 2l carrying spaced I-beams 20 that are interconnected by plates 3i which carry suitable conical or other thrust bearings 32. Resting on the latter are metallic reenforcement plates Il secured to the bottom walls 22 of the elements 2l, with these plates 22 lying in holes 34 formed in a floor 35 that leads horizontally from the sill I5, so that the elements 20 appear to rest on said iloor. Suitably mounted on the walls I2 and ceiling I is an H-beam 25 carrying bearings I1 connected to reenforcement plates Il that are secured to the elements 20. Shafts 39 extending centrally through the latter may be afilxed to the walls 2i, 22 and to the plates 33, ll and journaled in the bearings 32 and 21, To conceal the top frame structure. a front strip member 40 may extend from one wall I2 to the other, and to the ceiling I4.

Any suitable drive means may be used to cause intermittent rotation of the display elements 2li For example, a clutch 4 I, provided for a purpose hereinafter stated, may rotatably engage with an idler means 42 journaled in each shaft`39 and retained thereon as by a collar 43. Each idler means 42 may include a bevel gear 44, engaged with a similar gear 45, all of the latter mounted on a shaft 45 journaled in bearings 41 amxed to the standards 2l, Said shaft 44 may be connected to any intermittent speed reduction drive 48 operated bv a motor 4l.

By way of illustration, the drive 4I may include a casing 54 through which extends the shaft 45. The latter may carry a star wheel 5I intermittently turned by a cam wheel 52 which serves to otherwise lock the wheel 5I against rotation to prevent overrunning. A shaft 52 mounted on the casing 50 carries the cam wheel 52, and also a spiral gear 54 which meshes with a worm wheel 55 ilxed on a shaft Il that is journaled on the casing. Secured to the shaft 56 is a bevel gear 51 engaging a bevel gear 5I on the motor drive shaft 5l, Journaled in a bearing 50. Thus continuous rotation of the motor 4S causes intermittent rotation of the shaft 45 and hence of the display elements 2l. It will be noted that the gear ratio at 44, 45 will permit the required angular movement to be obtained.

If access be desired to the display 25 or to the window I4l as for the purpose of cleaning the same, I perceived that there is insuiiicient space for any practical purpose, unless the elements 2li are moved to the position shown in Fig. 8. Accordingly I have provided the one Way clutch means 4I whereby any element 2I| may be individually rotated to thus ailord a passageway whereby a person may gain diiect easy access to the space at the window. By way of example, the clutch means 4I may include a carrier member 6I secured to the shaft l! to carry a pawl 62 and a spring 63 for actuating the p awl. Ailixed to the bevel `gear 44 is avratchet wheel 64 engageable by the pawl, so as to permit free manual rotation of each element 2l in the forward direction. Thus a passageway such as 60 can be provided between any two of the elements 20. Moreover, different display faces of the individual elements .can be interchangeably coordinated to form a further variety of displays.

It will now be perceived that the invention is applicable for the display of groceries, notions and novelties, dresses and other wearing apparel and a multitude of other articles. If it be desired to display garments some or all of the shelves 23 may be removed. Further the invention can be utilized without necessarily requiring carrier elements such as 2| that are of triangular form. And finally, the device can be used to advantage with indoor as well as with window displays.

I claim:

In a window display device adapted to provide a continuous display to extend across the entire width and height of an unobstructed show window, a plurality of carrier elements having different vertical axes of rotation, each element having three upright equally angularly spaced walls, said elements being in such close side by side relation that the different walls of the elements successively coact with each other to afford a continuous display upon intermittent rotation of the elements, each pair of walls of each element having triangular shelf members adapted to horizontally aline with each other in the different positions of the elements, and a unitary, wholly rotary drive means to cause intermittent .rotation of the elements, the drive means including a plurality of one way clutches for the individual elements to turn the same in one direction, the clutches including drive members continuously engaged with each other during normal operation of the device, the clutches coacting with the elements so that desired elements can be manually turned in a reverse direction to lie with their adjacent walls approximately parallel to afford an .aisle between the elements for access to the window.

CHARLES B. REYMERS. 

